LiveWell Vermont

Every day , our lives are made up of moments that affect how we feel. Some moments cause us stress, and drain us of our energy. Because we can’t always eliminate difficult moments, it’s important to recognize them and learn how to manage them. Noticing stress in our lives can help us be better prepared to manage the stress before it becomes overwhelming.  When  we are very busy, our attention can be pulled in so many directions that it can be hard to manage the basics that set us up for success. If we do not give ourselves the basics, our ability to handle stress diminishes.  To minimize this, ask yourself questions like:  Have I eaten?  Am I hydrated?  Have I slept well?  Does anything hurt? Once you are more aware of your sources of stress, you’re better able to take action toward releasing that stress. You can also be aware of how engaging in certain types of activities affect you.  Double check the following possible sources of stres...

Americans owe  over $1.03 trillion ¹   in credit card debt. While debt continues to mount, we navigate a landscape drastically different from previous generations – welcome to the digital society. Here, money moves at the click of a button, but so do scams, frauds, and financial exploitation. Yes, the convenience is wonderful, but there are potential pitfalls as well. So, how can you keep up, safeguard your assets, and possibly turn this complexity to your advantage? By mastering budgeting skills and understanding the nuances of online money management. Whether it's password protection for your accounts, the efficient monitoring of finances, or understanding the world of  digital payments , this article will help guide you through making informed decisions. Read on and uncover the dynamics of navigating a digital society. What is a digital society? A digital society is one where technology and the internet are deeply woven into the fabric of daily life. We're talking abou...

Lots of us have a spring cleaning routine for our homes. But how do we prepare our environments for other seasons? This week, let's optimize our spaces for the coziest, cheeriest, and healthiest winter! Winterize your space: Set up some cozy, soft lighting: try twinkle lights, lamps, and candles Wash your coziest blankets and arrange them for easy access Stock up on herbal tea  maybe treat yourself to a new mug! Arrange a basket of hats, mittens, gloves, and scarves right by the front door  this will help remove a barrier to getting outside! Deep clean your humidifiers Buy a fresh bottle of vitamin D supplements Set up your Happy Lamp in a place you'll use it! Open fresh bottles of hand lotion and set them in places you’ll see them

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression linked with certain seasons. SAD is thought to be caused by a combination of decreased light in the winter and our body’s natural reduction in serotonin levels during colder times of the year. Even though we can’t control the light or temperature, we can do some things to help lessen the impact.  Try these are strategies to help reduce Seasonal Affective Disorder: 1. Find ways to increase your serotonin levels. Exercising regularly is an effective way to boost your serotonin . It can be hard to motivate yourself to exercise, but once you get going, chances are you’ll be glad you did. Sleep. It’s tempting to sleep more in the winter months due to the weather and our tendency to be less active in winter. Maintaining a healthy sleep schedule can boost your well-being. Resist the urge to take long naps during the day. Start by working on getting into a routine of falling asleep and waking up at similar times, and giving you...

Yep, even introverts need some amount of social connection! And there's no bigger time to benefit from spending time with friends & family than during the winter months.  However, it can be really hard to make and keep plans when it's dark and cold outside.  Try to "set and forget" your social routine - just like you set and forget any healthy habit! Plan a weekly game night with neighbors Start up a supper club with friends or nearby family. Each person/family takes turns hosting either weekly or monthly dinners at their house, and everyone brings a dish to share! Hold monthly  soup swaps Join a local sports league Find a book club that meets near you Take a class on something you're interested in - a foreign language, swing dancing, pottery, figure drawing Check out your local library for events and classes

Many people believe the best way to give back to their community is through financial donations. Although cash donations are a way to support your favorite cause, it’s not the only way you can give. There are also ways you can support your community that don’t cost anything.  Here are just a few examples:  Look next door. Helping your community doesn't require trekking across town. Let neighbors know if you are available to help stacking some wood, mowing the lawn, babysitting, weeding or other tasks.  Because you know them, you will know the ways they would appreciate help. Give your time. Volunteer at a food pantry, housing shelter, library, trail maintenance group or anywhere else that you know needs help. If you have children in school, you could also consider helping there. Often field trips, sports, or fund-raising events offer opportunities to volunteer.  These are great ways to give back and helps with staying involved in your child’s life.  ...

What sorts of things do you do to winterize your home for the cold weather? Do you hang thick curtains in the doorways, put plastic on the windows, bring in firewood, or fill up the humidifiers?  Well, the same care and preparation can be taken to winterize your exercise routine! Staying moving during the dark and cold months is an amazing mental health tool. Try these tips!      Start Now ·        If you’re not currently in an exercise habit, start it now. Train your body to crave activity on a regular basis before it gets hard to get moving!        Adjust your WHY          During the winter, your main reason to exercise may shift to a mental health coping skill. Ch eck in with how exercise influences your mood and feelings to see if adjusting your reason to exercise will help motivate you to move! ·       Grow your thick winter skin         You ...

The increasing demand for mental health services has led to a shortage of providers and longer waitlists. Read this article to see how we're expanding our options and get tips for finding mental health care in Vermont. More people these days are seeking treatment for concerns such as anxiety and depression. While it’s good that they are reaching out for professional help, the increased demand for mental health services means it can be more difficult to find a provider.  A  recent national survey  by the American Psychological Association found that 60 percent of psychologists no longer have openings for new patients, and nearly three-quarters have longer waitlists than before the pandemic. In Vermont, the average wait time to see a psychiatrist is 54 days, according to a  report  from the Agency of Human Services. In some practices, it could take up to a year to get an appointment. Participants in public forums held by the agency said they’ve had significant dif...

Do you agree: The hardest part of winter is getting up in the morning?  Treat yourself to a morning routine that sets your day up for peace, productivity, and prioritizing your own needs. Establish it NOW so that it'll be rock solid when you really need it.  Planning a morning routine you actually look forward to (coffee, anyone?) can help you get your feet on the floor with less angst, while preserving some me-time to set the tone of your day - you are worth it! Revamp your morning routine ·        Get up earlier While  getting plenty of sleep is a great self-care tool, repeatedly hitting the snooze button can have detrimental effects on our sleep/wake cycle, which is already confused during the darker months.   And yes, this may mean you'll want to get into bed earlier too!  Rising earlier creates a little time for a stabilizing morning routine.      Light Exposure ·        Include some...

  I don't know about you, but too much sugar can really bother my stomach. This Halloween, I plan to take care of my body with some fun spooky options.  Ideas below to enjoy the season without the tummy ache. Enjoy! Monster Wraps Witchy Guacamole Spooky Spider Deviled Eggs Halloween Roast Veggies Halloween Banana Popsicles

Lots of people love fall: the colors of the trees, apple picking, pumpkin spice everything, sweater season... But many of us view this time of year with trepidation. If fall signals to you the beginning of a cold, dark, and difficult season, you're not alone! For those of us who struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder, now is the time to prepare. Getting your routines really stable before things get difficult can help you survive and THRIVE this winter! Over the next few weeks, we'll share some strategies to winterize your self-care practices to help combat the winter blues!  Week 1: Build Resilience with Reflection Try out the following practices to build a mindset of resilience to carry you through this winter.  Embrace Your Feelings You might be starting to experience feelings of grief right now for sunlight, sprawling green mountains, warm days at the swimming hole, and creemee stands. It's okay to grieve the end of summer! In fact, sitting with our feelings is a way...

  As the weather gets cooler it can be tempting to stay inside more and move a lot less.   If you find that getting outside is helpful for your mental health, and keeps you moving, there are techniques to keep the good times rolling.  First, try scheduling in ways to get out there that are fun.  If you are enjoying an activity, it is much easier to prioritize it. Second, try to schedule items with others.  This social contract can help you stay committed. Volunteering opportunities incorporate both of these, with the added benefit of doing something productive in your community. This can help you stay engaged in outdoor activities. Check out the following ideas, or share one of your own with us: Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports – this disability friendly group has opportunities to volunteer or play, and offers programming in several areas of the State. Green Mountain Club – Get together with others that love the outdoors!   A variety of opportunit...